Billiard cue



.1. R. BLUM BILLIARD CUE Sept. 30, 1941.

Filed Dec. 26, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTOQNE).

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 v UNITED; STArEs PATENT OFFICE 2.257.326 BIYIQLIARD CUE Jacques R. San Francisco, Calif. A Application December 26,1940QSerialNo. 371,731 I (01-. 273-68) I 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in billiard cues, and more particularly to an improved handle and loading means therefor.

An object of my invention is to provide an improyed cue grip formed of plastic material, secure in placement and ornamental in appearance.

Another object of my invention is to provide a cue grip of the kind characterized, which can besuitably colored by the addition of certain pigments-to the plastic material, to match the'wood of the cue or the colorof surrounding'furnis'hings.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in combination with a cue grip of the kind char acterized, a loading member advantageously positioned to properly balance the cue and concealed from view and secured in place by the plastic material.

Other objects of my invention are to provide a device of the kind characterized which may be readily applied to the handle end of a cue of conventional construction, and which is ornamental in appearance, useful and eflicient in performance, simple in structure and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the accomplishment of these and such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is understood that the device shown is merely an illustration of what is now thought to be the preferred embodiment thereof, and that various changes in respect to the form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principles of or sac-.

rificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a fragmentary part of the handle of a conventional billiard cue;

Fig. 2 shows the first step or operation in the production of a cue embodying my improved grip and loading member;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the said part of the cue handle showing the next (second) step or operation followed in the production of my invention;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the said part of the cue handle showing the third step or operation followed in the production of my invention;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cue handle embodying my invention in its completed form;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the handle portion of a one which embodies my invention in its completed form. r f

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the numeral l0 designates the handle or butt of a conventional billiard cue, and as shown it. is ordinarily symmetrically tapered. l

As shown in Fig. 2 the first steps in developing my invention consistin cutting as by means of a lathe and cutting tool, an annular recessed portion H, a substantially V-shaped annular groove 12 at each end of the recessed portion, and a still deeper annular under cut portion l3 between the ends of the recessed portion ll; As a result of the cutting away of the cue butt where the recessed portion H and the undercut portion l3 occur, there is provided a suitably shaped and proportioned core section. The undercut portion I3 is preferably of suificient size and shape toaccommodate a load member H of predetermined weight. In ordinary practice the positioning of the under cut portion I3 and the load member M are so prearranged with respect to the ends of the one as to bring the latter into proper balance. The load member l4 preferably comprises a flat sheet of lead or other suitable material of the proper shape and thickness which is wrapped around that part of the wooden core section provided at the under cut portion I 3 and then tacked in place, as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 illustrates the result of the succeeding step in the development of my invention which comprises the application of an oversized body or sleeve l 5 of plastic material to and within the recessed portion II. This is accomplished by preparing a mixture of plastic wood or other similar material, applying it to the recessed portion I l and rolling it in place on a glass support which has been first treated with a coating of stearic acid or any other material capable of preventing the adherence of the plastic material to the glass support When the plastic body l5 has been applied as aforesaid, it becomes lodged at its ends within the annular V-shaped grooves l2, while at the same time it extends around and engages with the outer surface of the load member l4, thereby securely holding the load member in place and preventing the displacement thereof when the plastic body I 5 has solidified. After the application of the plastic material as aforesaid, the cue is preferably placed in a suitable holder until the said material has thoroughly solidified.

To complete the development of my invention, the cue is next mounted in a lathe and the overmaterial, the resultant cue grip will have a solid color throughout, but if the pigments are .not thoroughly mixed with the plastic material, a mottled effect will result.

The plastic material may be applied by means of a mold instead of by the method abovefde- 1 scribed, and in some instances a heated die may be employed to convert a powdered materialinto a plastic state or to produce certain'burnished effects on the completed grip. r

Having described my invention, What I claim' is:

'1. In combination with a billiard-cue, a solid handle portion-at one end of the cue having an annular recess formed therein, the said handle portion having a 'continuous core sectionwhere the recess occurs, aload member secured-to ;,the ,core/ section of'the handle portionand-positio 'red within the confines of the recess-and -=aplastic sleeve secured to the-core section of the handle portion and positionedwithin the-.recessand extending over the load member, I

2. .Incombination with a billiard cue,a:handle portion at one end-of the-cue havingan'annular recess formed. in'ithe handle portion, the said handle portion having uacontinuous core section where the recess occurs, a load member encircling the core section of the handle portion and positioned within the confines of the annular recess, and a plastic sleeve positioned within the annular recess and extending around and in engagement with the load member. 7

3. In combination with a billiard cue, a tapered handle portion at one end of the cue having an annular recess formed therein, the said handle portion having a continuous core section where the recess occurs, a load member secured to the core section of the handle portion and positioned within the confines of the. annular recess, and a plastic sleeve extending around and in engage- ;ment' with the core section and the load member andsubstantially filling the annular recess, the

"said sleeve'having a tapered outer surface conforming to and being co-extensive with the tapered outer surface of the handle portion.

4.111 combination with a billiard cue, a handle .portion at one end of the cue having an annular tending over the load member, :the said plastic sleeve being locked atone of its ends withinrthe annular groove.

JACQUES R. BLUM. 

